Largely due to poor promotion, dance-pop vocalist
Bianca never got off the ground. The cheery up-tempo jaunts and pleasant ballads on her lone Warner Bros. album boast catchy melodies and clever production, if nothing musically groundbreaking. Her light vocal approach fits the genre perfectly and is a cut above
Madonna and
Janet Jackson in that it actually bears emotion and resonance. The set's opener, the mid-tempo "Fresh Squeez," is the most unique number, with astute lyrical phrasing and a blend of pop and hip-hop influences guided by
Bongo Bob Smith. Also of note is the serene title track, a heartfelt ode to nostalgia and permanence featuring an early performance by
Chanté Moore (the lead vocals are credited simply as by "
Bianca and
Chanté"). The production of several other numbers is derivative, but overall,
Forever is a solid, radio-friendly set worth the time of any serious fans of '80s dance-pop. ~ Justin M. Kantor